Improvement in processes and machinery for softening leather



H. CUNNINGHAM.

PROCESS AND MACHINERY FOR SOF'IENING LEATHER.

No. 176,168. Patented April 18, 1876.

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UNITED STATES PATENT GFFIoE.

HENRY CUNNINGHAM, OF ALBANY, EW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSESAND MACHINERY FOR SOFTENING LEATHER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 176, 168, dated April18, 1876; application filed November 18, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY CUNNINGHAM, of thecity and county of Albany and State of New York, have invented a new anduseful Process for Softening Leather, of which the following is a fulland exact description:

The nature of my invention consists in subjecting the leather to besoftened to a series of rapid reciprocating or vibratory motions by theaid of machinery, in such manner that every part of it will, by thealternating folding, shaking, and snapping it receives, be rendered verysoft and pliable. This effect I produce by means of the machine, hereinshown and described, that I have invented for that purpose.

The object of my invention is to mechanically loosen up the fibers ofthe leather that have become matted down, compacted, and hardened in theprocess of currying, and by so doing greatly enhancing its market valueby improving its quality and increasing its durability in wear when usedfor making the uppers of boots or shoes, or for any purpose where a softand pliable, well-curried leather is required.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification,Figure 1 represents a front elevation of my softening machine; Fig. 2, aside elevation and Figs. 3 and 4, enlarged sectional views of thetubular holder and fastening-bar.

As shown in the drawing, A is the framework of the machine; B, theshaft, provided with a pulley, b, and running in the brackets O, securedto the top of the frame-work. The crank-wheels D are secured to theshaft B, and are provided with the wrist-pins E, to which the pitmen Fare connected. G is a tubular holder, having a slot, 9, cut in its lowerside, of sufficient length to receive the leather to be softened. At ornear the ends of the holder the pitmen F are secured, as shown in thedrawing, and it is guided dur ing its reciprocations by the slots at inthe side pieces of the frame-work A. H is the fastening'bar, which Ipreferably make of strong, elastic wood, of greater length than the slotg, having each end cut away, so as to allow for its being inserted inthe tube, as shown in Fig. 3, and having an increased depth at itscenter, for the purpose of securing the greatest strength with the leastweight. I is a set-screw in the tubular holder G, bearing against thefastening-bar H, for the purpose of securin g it in its place.

The softening is effected in the following manner: The leather (which isrepresented in the drawing by the letter J) is folded and placed overthe top edge of the fastening-bar H and inserted with it in the slot gof the tubular holder G, in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 4, andsecured therein by the setscrew 1. Arapid rotatory motionis then givento the shaft B, which, through its crankwheels D and pitmen F, impartsto the holder G a reciprocating motion, corresponding in speed with therevolutions of the shaft B. By this means the leather is violentlyagitated, and by the combined resistance offered by the atmosphere andits own weight, the leather is thrown into a rapid succession of foldsand corrugations, the frequent bending and unbending of which soonreduces the fibers to a soft and pliable condition.

In effecting this process of softening leather. I do not confine myselfto the particular construction of machine herein shown and described, asI am aware that the same effect may be produced by a machine moving theleather rapidly in a horizontal direction, or by one having a vibratorymotion, in either of which the bending and unbending of the leather, toproduce the loosening up of the fiber, can be accomplished in the samemanner.

I do not claim softening leather by bending and unbending its texture,when such bending and unbending is effected by rubbing or rolling thesides of leather between the surfaces of solid or semi-elastic bodies,as I am aware that such means have heretofore been employed for thispurpose. By my process the bending and unbending of the texture iseffected solely by the combined action and reaction of the gravity ofthe leather and the resistance of the atmosphere when the sides aresubjected to the rapid shaking or snapping motions hereinbeforedescribed, and by this means the softening is effected in a much morerapid and perfect manner than has been heretofore accomplished.

I claim as my invention- 1. The process for softening leather hereindescribed, consisting of bending and unhending its texture bymechanically imparting to the sides of leather a rapid shaking orsnapping motion, by the means and in the manner herein specified.

2. The combination of the shaft B and crank-wheels D with the pitmen Fand tubular holder G, when constructed and. arranged. to operate as andFor the purpose set forth.

3. The tubular holder G, having a slotted opening, g, in combinationwith the fasteningbar H, as and for the purpose specified.

HENRY OUNNINGHAM.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. Low, SANFORD R. HAsKELL,

